Texas Woman's University Institute for Women's Health (IWH): The effectiveness of a 12 week weight management program on reducing body weight in an overweight and obese population

In the United States and other developed countries, obesity is increasing. Many diseases linked to obesity negatively affect individuals and society. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a 12-week Weight Management Program in the Exercise and Sports Nutrition Clinic in the Institute for Women's Health at Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX on reducing body weight in an overweight and obese population.

Thirty two individuals were part of a 12-week weight management program. Each participant completed a stages of change survey (SOCS) and had weight, height, and BMI measured before and after the 12-week program. All of the participants met with a weight loss coach for one hour a week for 12 weeks. Weight loss strategies including increasing physical activity and dietary advice were provided each week. Effectiveness of the weight loss program was determined by comparing the mean weight loss of the group to a weight loss standard of 24 lbs. Based on the mean weight loss compared to the weight loss standard, a quintile of effectiveness was used rank the overall effectiveness.

After the 12-week intervention, the mean weight loss for the participants was 1.1 kg ± 2 kg. The SOCS was not correlated to weight loss (r = -0.31; p = 0.13). There was a significant difference in body weight from baseline to after the intervention (p = 0.00). The weight loss program was found to be "slightly effective", the lowest quintile ranking.